Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation

Brainerd Lakes Area Women's Fund 365 Giving Circle

What is the BLAWF 365 Giving Circle?

The BLAWF was established in 2009 and in 2017 the Brainerd Lakes Area Women’s Fund wanted to offer an easy way for generous people to support the Women’s Funds initiatives and allow even more impact to be made through their programs and local grantmaking. The 365 Giving Circle was born, and the idea was to help grow the BLAWF endowment fund and support current community needs by providing additional granting dollars to be distributed during that grant round. The BLAWF wanted to involve and ignite excitement and create a strong network of forward-thinking and generous donors. 365 Giving Circle members are invited to provide input into the current project proposals seeking grant funding through the Women’s Fund annual grant round. Members love being involved in the grantmaking and learning more about new community projects to help lead positive change.

What are the benefits?

365 Giving Circle encourages you to amplify your philanthropic voice.

• Participate in the grant award process
• Nominate Women Making Waves and Ripple Maker Awards

365 Giving Circle connects you with other charitably inclined people.

• Join other members to tour our local nonprofits and learn of new projects
• Attend the annual Women Making Waves celebration as a VIP

365 Giving Circle informs you about charities serving our local community.

• Quarterly newsletter highlighting charitable events, organizations and leaders

365 Giving Circle educates you on current financial and estate planning strategies.

• Attend financial and estate planning information sessions

365 Giving Circle empowers you to maximize your philanthropic goals.

Who are some members who have previously joined?

How do I join?

Simply donate $365 or more annually (our fiscal year follows the Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation’s and is from July 1st – June 30th. Your gift will be split equally between the Women’s Endowment Fund and the current year grant round. The endowment fund provides grant dollars to support the annual grant round and your gift. The BLAWF Grant Round offers thousands of dollars in funding to Lakes Area organizations offering services and developing new projects benefiting women and children through financial empowerment, education and health and wellness. In essence, members get to help their community now and save for the future needs!

You may make a one-time donation of $365 or more and you will automatically become a member of the 365 Giving Circle. If you prefer to make a smaller contribution and note your intention to become a member and make quarterly payments equally $365 annually, that option is also available.

TO MAKE AN ONLINE DONATION, CLICK HERE. Note that any gift of $365 will place you automatically in our 365 Giving Circle network. In the comments section, note your desire to be a 365 Giving Circle member if not making the full $365 payment and you will be reminded quarterly of your commitment.

Checks may be made payable to CommunityGiving and note "BLAWF or 365 Giving Circle" in the memo and mailed to: CommunityGiving, 101 7th Avenue South, Suite 100, St. Cloud, MN 56301.